Bellville Police sponsor ‘Shop-With-An-Officer’ program to benefit area families

Police, community worked together to better families’ holidays

By Ginnie Baker

Courtesy Photo
“Our first Shop-With-An-Officer really went well and Walmart treated us well, even having refreshments for us," Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey said. "We helped 12 kids and four families total. The kids and the officers got a lot out of it."

Courtesy Photo
Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey and six Bellville Police officers hosted the first annual 'Shop-With-An-Officer for Christmas' at Walmart on Possum Run Road.

Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey and six Bellville Police officers hosted the first annual ‘Shop-With-An-Officer for Christmas’ at Walmart on Possum Run Road.

“Our first Shop-With-An-Officer really went well and Walmart treated us well, even having refreshments for us,” Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey said. “We helped 12 kids and four families total. The kids and the officers got a lot out of it.”

“The positive comments from other customers were outstanding and I had numerous shoppers walk up to me and hand me money to put toward what we were doing. Over all, a great day. We have gifts for each one that we are wrapping for the kids to open on Christmas morning and also with the extra donations we were able to buy a crib for the one family that had a six-month-old little one, so it worked out great.”

The children involved were ages four to 12.

“We took all the kids shopping and gave them a budget. We also asked them about a couple of things that they really hoped they would get for Christmas. After shopping with the kids, we went back and got a couple of items per child that they didn’t know they were getting and wrapped them for the surprise gifts,” Willey added.

Shop-With-An-Officer replaced the former Bellville Police ‘Adopt-A-Family’ program that the Police Department sponsored for over 10 years.

In addition to the donations received for shopping, Der Dutchman employees conducted a food drive and all the non- perishable food was divided up between the four families and delivered to them with the few surprise gifts for Christmas.

Debbie and Kevin Kleer, owners of Kleerview Farm in Bellville, donated two Christmas trees plus all the decorations to the Bellville Police Department to give to two families in Bellville.

“This is what Christmas is about; being able to help others and to give the kids a Merry Christmas. We want to thank everyone who helped make this a memorable Christmas for the kids and families,” Willey said.

Courtesy Photo

“Our first Shop-With-An-Officer really went well and Walmart treated us well, even having refreshments for us," Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey said. "We helped 12 kids and four families total. The kids and the officers got a lot out of it."

“Our first Shop-With-An-Officer really went well and Walmart treated us well, even having refreshments for us," Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey said. "We helped 12 kids and four families total. The kids and the officers got a lot out of it."

Courtesy Photo

Bellville Police Chief Ron Willey and six Bellville Police officers hosted the first annual ‘Shop-With-An-Officer for Christmas’ at Walmart on Possum Run Road.